"Life was really tough for me, taking care of my five kids without a job was stressful. My husband also didn't have a job. We did odd jobs like working on other people's farms and burning charcoal. Sometimes we couldn't find work on farms, and the charcoal permit was closed, so we went hungry. We were very poor and couldn't afford a toilet, so our sanitation and hygiene were very bad. We used a nearby farm to dig a small hole for a toilet, but when it flooded, dirty water came into our house and made it smell bad.When we received the money, I used $56 to buy enough food. This helped me have energy to work on my small maize farm. I used $50 to build a small toilet to cover the shame of using the farm and open places where everyone could see us. With another $50, I paid school fees for my children, so I could stop looking for odd jobs and focus on my own farm. Finally, with the remaining money, I bought clothes for my children because their old ones were too worn out to wear outside. Thanks so much to GiveDirectly for giving me hope for the future. I really appreciate it."

"It was in the afternoon, and I was just relaxing at home. My daughter, Jessica, who stays with me after separating from her husband some time ago, had the phone. I was lounging in my favorite wooden chair, lost in thought when Jessica burst into the room with a beaming smile. She happily announced that the money we had been expecting had been deposited into my account. As the news sank in, a wave of happiness washed over me. It was a huge amount of money, and I couldn't believe it was finally here. My mind immediately turned to my house, which has been old and in poor condition for a while now. The first thing I thought of was building a new, comfortable home for us. This money meant a fresh start and a secure future, and I felt a deep sense of gratitude and hope for what lay ahead."

"I was weeding at my farm, which is right next to my house when I heard a message tone from my phone around 4 PM. Since I am illiterate, my daughter, Santa, checked the message. She excitedly informed me that the first transfer had been deposited into my account. I was overwhelmed with happiness and immediately began ululating with joy. My neighbors, who had also received their transfers around the same time, joined me in this jubilant celebration, filling the air with our shared excitement and gratitude. The very first thought that came to my mind was building a new house. The house I currently lived in was weak and on the verge of collapsing due to the strong winds, we had been experiencing. The transfer meant I could finally afford to construct a safe and sturdy house for my family. This moment marked the beginning of a hopeful new chapter in our lives, filled with the promise of security and comfort."

"As a widow and very old, I relied on my co-wife's son for provision because I did not have children. Upon receiving my most recent transfer, I invested it in a shop business. There was already a shop structure at home, but it needed renovations to be usable. So, I bought 13 pieces of iron sheets for $120, three bags of cement for $23, and spent $94 on purchasing and fixing shelf timbers. The person who did the renovation charged $20. After these renovations, I stocked the shop with items worth $40. After setting up the shop, I also bought a sack of maize for $45. This purchase was crucial as it ensured we had food at home, providing some relief to the breadwinner, who works as a casual laborer. By investing in the shop and securing food, I aimed to create a sustainable source of income and reduce the financial burden on my co-wife's son, who has been supporting me."

"My four bedroom house is in urgent need of completion, with two rooms already repaired and the remaining two still pending. Despite the challenges, I am grateful for the progress I have made so far. To finish the remaining rooms, I plan to save a portion of my transfers and gradually acquire the necessary building materials. I am aware that this will be a gradual process, but I am determined to see it through. Completing the repairs is crucial not only for my personal safety but also to ensure the long term stability of the structure, preventing any potential collapse in the future. I am deeply grateful for the financial assistance provided through the transfers, which has given me the opportunity to work towards this goal."

"In the coming year, my main goal is to use the GiveDirectly cash transfers to rebuild our house, which has become too small for our growing family. It's also in a bad state; whenever it rains, water seeps in from the ground, and the mud on the walls falls off. This poses a health risk to our family and is not safe at all. My current focus is on plastering our house because of its poor condition. The thought of the transfers fills me with boundless gratitude, and each time I receive the cash, I feel hopeful about achieving this dream of rebuilding our home."

"My priority in the coming year and beyond is to boost my business as soon as possible, utilizing these transfers as a stepping stone to raise the necessary capital to support my family. I currently sell chapati and beans, but I hope to build up more customers to increase the quantity of goods I sell. Having this business stabilized will make a great difference in my life. Since I have a child in school, I need to have enough money to cover their fees and other essential requirements. Additionally, expanding this business will allow me to acquire enough capital to provide for my family's basic needs with greater ease."

"I am glad that I have managed to build my poultry business, which was my initial venture. Currently, I have acquired 23 chickens, so now my focus is on taking good care of them. In the coming year and beyond, I want to invest my transfers into starting a grocery business. I got motivation from my friends who are already in this business. Since I am already employed and cannot leave my job to fully oversee this new venture, I plan to employ my sister-in-law, who is currently without a job. Having this business will provide me with additional income, enabling me to support my family and myself with greater ease."

"My ultimate objective is to ensure my children complete their education and achieve a successful future. To achieve this, I have devised a plan to invest more in my livestock farming business, gradually transitioning from goats to cows. Cows are more valuable and their sale can help cover my children's school fees. To accomplish this, I plan to save and utilize the transfers I receive to purchase more livestock and expand my operations. This strategy not only secures my income after the project concludes but also ensures a better future for my family. I am deeply grateful to GiveDirectly for the positive impact it has had on my life, enabling me to pursue this goal and create a more secure future for my family."

"To overcome the demoralizing conditions of living in a small, cramped house with five people, I have been diligently saving a significant portion of my transfers. I am pleased with the progress I have made towards building a three-room house. Once the house is complete next year, I plan to venture into poultry farming, hoping that the poultry will multiply and allow me to sell them in the future to support my family when needed. I am grateful for the positive impact GiveDirectly has had on our lives, which has enabled me to pursue this goal and improve our living situation."